Front end catcher

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for catching and winding the leading end of a product length on a rotating mandrel. The apparatus includes a rotatably clamping surface surrounding one end of the mandrel. The rotational axis of the clamping surface is urged away from that of the mandrel, thus forming a clamping groove therebetween having its maximum and minimum widths spaced 180* apart. The clamping groove is closed by a pivotal guide which directs the leading end of each oncoming product length around the mandrel and diagonally into the clamping groove where it is gripped and wound onto the rotating mandrel.

United States [72] lnventor Harold E. Woodrow Worcester, Mass. [21] Appl, No. 847,078 [22] Filed Aug. 4, 1969 [45] Patented July 13, 1971 [73] Assignee Morgan Construction Company Worcester, Mass.

[54] FRONT END CATCHER Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 242/ [51] int. Cl B6Sh 54/00, Bh /28 [50] Field of Search 242/25, 82, 18 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,971,707 2/1961 Jacobs 242/25 (A) Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Milton Gerstein Attorney-Chittick, Pfund, Birch, Samuels & Gauthier ABSTRACT: An apparatus for catching and winding the leading end of a product length on a rotating mandrel. The apparatus includes a rotatably clamping surface surrounding one end of the mandrel. The rotational axis of the clamping surface is urged away from that of the mandrel, thus forming a clamping groove therebetween having its maximum and minimum widths-spaced apart. The clamping groove is closed by a pivotal guide which directs the leading end of each oncoming product length around the mandrel and diagonally into the clamping groove where it is gripped and wound onto the rotating mandrel.

PATENTEDJULUISII SHE-U 1 or 5 9.592.399

INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. woooRow IMAM Mal-k Min- ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUL 1 31911 SHEEI 2 BF 5 INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. WOODROW BY CAI/02:4 [1M 30ml,

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUL13|9H SHEET 3 0F 5 INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. WOODROW ATTORNEYS PATENTEB JUL! 3 |97| SHEET '4 BF 5 INVENTOR. HAROLD E. WOODROW ,I'MJM W (M ATTORNEYS PATENIEI] JUL 1 319m SHEET 5 0F 5 INVENTOR. HAROLD E. WOODROW BY CAM 2 4 PM Bum-1 ATTORNEYS FRONT END CATCIIER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an apparatus for coiling or spooling an axially moving elongated product length, and more particularly to an improved means for catching and winding the leading end of a product length on a rotating mandrel.

The front-end-catching devices which have heretofore been developed have generally proven unsatisfactory for handling product lengths moving at relatively high speeds in the range of 2500 to 4000 feet per minute. These speeds are normally encountered at the delivery end of modern rolling mills, where it is sometimes desirable to wind the hot rolled product issuing therefrom on a rotating mandrel.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved front end catcher which is capable of consistent successful operation on product lengths moving axially at the relatively high speeds mentioned above.

Another object of the present invention is to providean apparatus which is self-adjusting to accommodate a wide range of product diameters.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which has a simple and relatively inexpensive design, and a rugged construction which makes possible extended periods of consistent dependable operation without theneed for frequent maintenance and/or repair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a front-end-catching device which may be employed to handle high-temperature products.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of an apparatus embodying the concepts of the present invention;

. FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus looking from right to left as viewed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another sectional view of the apparatus taken alongline44ofFlG. l;and,

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic illustrations depicting the front-end-catching device at different stages during its operatron.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a spooler 2 of a type adapted to handle hot rolled products, for examplerod or bar issuing from the finishing stands ofa rolling mill.

Although the front-end-catching device of the presentinvention will hereinafter be described in connection with a hot rod or bar spooler, it will be understood that this particular apparatus and use is being employed herein for illustrativepurposes only, and that the invention is capable of other generally similar uses where successive axially moving elongated elements are to be wound on rotating spools or mandrels.

As herein shown, spooler 2 includes a gear housing 4 mounted on an underlying carriage 6, the latter having wheels 8 which run along fixed parallel track members 10. Carriage 6 is moved back and forth along tracks 10 in a direction transverse to the path P of the product being delivered to the spooler by means of a cylinder 5 attached to the underside of the carriage as at 50. The piston rod 5b of cylinder 5 is attached to an upstanding stationary lug 7 which is in turn bolted to the floor. The purpose of cylinder 5 will be described presently when the operation of the apparatus is reviewed.

A sleeve 12 is journaled for rotation between bearings 14 carried in the wall of housing 4. Sleeve 12 has a pinion gear 16 keyed thereto as at 18. Gear 16 meshes with another pinion gear 20, the latter being keyed to a transverse drive shaft 22. Shaft 22 may be driven by any convenient means such as for example by a motor 21 mounted by means of a pedestal 210 on carriage 6. A mandrel shaft 24 extends axially through journaled for rotation on the annular support member 49. The

sleeve 12. One end of shaft 24 is provided with an enlargeddiameter section 24a which is grooved as at 26 to accommodate intermediate links 28, each of which is pivotedat one end to the shaft by means of a pin 30a. The other ends of the intermediate links are pivotally connected by pins 30b to curved mandrel sections 32. Each mandrel section is also pivotally connected at one end as at 34 to another link 36 which is in turn pivotally connected as at 38 to a collar 40 attached to one end of sleeve 12.

The links 36 establish a drive connection between sleeve 12 and the mandrel sections 32, the latter in turn being supported by means of the intermediate links 28.0n the mandrel shaft 24. Accordingly, it will be seen that the sleeve 12, the mandrel shaft 24 and the mandrel sections 32 rotateas a mandrel as-. sembly" under the driving force supplied through shaft 22 and the intermeshed pinion gears 16 and 20.

The mandrel sections 32 will remain in. the operative radially expanded positions shown until a complete coil C has been accumulated. When operatively positioned, the mandrel sections collectively define a cylindrical coil winding surface" hereinafter designated by the reference numeral 47.

In order to facilitate removal of a full coilC from the apparatus, the mandrel sections are collapsed radially: inwardly by'axially pulling-mandrel shaft 24 to the right (aswiewed in FIG. 4) relative to sleeve 12. In the embodiment'rherein disclosed, this is accomplished by means of a. double-acting cylinder 42 carried on one end of gear housing-4fThe piston rod 44 of cylinder 42 is attached as at 46 to the end of shaft 24, it being understood that the mandrel shaft rotates freely relative to the piston rod. When the mandrel shaft -24.is pulled to the right, the mandrel sections 32 pivot on the-intermediate links 28 and collapse inwardly thereby freein'g'thexaccurnulated coil for axial removal from the mandrel. Once this has been accomplished, the piston rod 44 of.cylinder 42iis again extended to radially expand the mandrel sections 32 tothe operative positions shown in the drawings.

The spooler 2 is further provided at one end of the coil. winding surface 47 with an end plate assembly generally indicated at 48. End plate assembly 48 includes agenerally an'-. nular upstanding support member 49 which is mounted on one end of a second carriage 50. Support member49surrounds mandrel shaft 24 and the collar 40 on sleeve 12. Carriage '50- has laterally disposed wheels 50a which run along spaced parallel tracks 50b on the upper surface of carriage'6. Carriage 50 is adjustable on carriage 6 in a direction parallelto the rotational axis of mandrel shaft 24 by means of a cylinder. 51 attached to the underside of carriage 50. The piston rod. 510 of cylinder 50 is connected at one end to a lug 51b secured as by welding to the upper surface of carriage 6. I

A plurality of circumferentially spaced roller-shafts 52'are roller shafts 52 support guide rollers 54 which are in turn seated in a circular track 56 attached to an annular end plate.

58a. It will therefore be seen that end plate 58a is freely rotatable relative to the annular support member'49, themandrel shaft 24 and the coil-winding surface 47 defined by the radially expanded mandrel sections 32. By actuating cylinder 51, the position of end plate 58:: may be adjusted axially relative to the coil-winding surface 47. The purpose of this adjust-.

ment will hereinafter be described in greater-detail.

The front-end-catching device of the present invention, which is located at the end of the coil-winding surface 47 opposite from that adjacent end plate 58a, includesa generally. cylindrical housing 59 carried on the distal end of a cantil evered arm member 60. The arm member is supported on a As can best'be seen by reference to FIG. 4,end-*plate 58b. is

provided with an annular surface 70 and a circular clamping" shoulder or surface 72 extending laterally therefrom. The annular surface 70, the circular clamping surface 72, and the end of coil winding surface 47 cooperate in defining a clamping groove 74. End plate 58b and hence its clamping surface 72 rotate about an axis 76, with the inside diameter of clamping surface 72 being greater than the outside diameter of coil-winding surface'47.

Means, such as for example a hydraulic rotary actuator 78, are employed to pivotally urge the cantilevered arm member 60 downwardly in a clockwise direction. This results in the rotational axis 76 of clamping surface 72 being urged downwardly and away from the rotational axis 80 of mandrel shaft 24. In the embodiment herein shown, the clamping surface 72 contacts the coil-winding surface 47 as at 82, the result being that the maximum and minimum widths of the clamping groove 74 are spaced roughly 180 apart with the maximum width being located at the bottom of the apparatus.

The front-end-catcher further includes a guide means, which in the embodiment herein disclosed, comprises an arm member 84 keyed as at 81 to a shaft 83 rotatably mounted on an overlying stationary support structure 85. A crank arm 87 is keyed to one end of shaft 83. Crank arm 87 is pivotally connected as at 87 to the piston rod 88 of a double-acting cylinder 89, the latter in turn being pivotally connected as at 89' to an upstanding bracket on support structure 85. When the piston rod 88 is extended, the arm member 84 is adjusted to the operative position shown by the solid lines in the drawings, with means such as for example a coiled spring 90 preferably being employed to resiliently urge the arm member towards end plate 58!). Retraction of piston rod 88 causes the arm member 84 to be pivotally raised about the rotational axis of shaft 83 to the inoperative position indicated in dotted at 84a in FIG. 3.

Arm member 84 is provided with a curved lower section 92 forming first and second guide surfaces 94 and 96. When the arm member 84 is in its operative position, the first guide surface 94 curves inwardly towards the coilwinding surface 47 (as shown in FIG. 3), and the second guide surface 96 curves in a generally diagonal direction towards the annular surface 70 on end'plate 5812 (as shown in FIG. 4).

In view of the above, it will be seen that the coil-winding surface 47, the annular surface 70, the clamping surface 72 on end plate 58b, and the first and second guide surfaces 94 and 96 on arm member 84, all combine to define a gradually tapering rod-receiving passageway P into which the leading ends of elongated product lengths travelling along path P will be delivered when the apparatus is adjusted to the start spooling position shown in the drawings.

Having thus described the more basic components of the embodiment disclosed in the drawings, the operation of the apparatus and the advantages to be derived therefrom will now be reviewed. With the apparatus adjusted to the start spooling" position herein illustrated, and with the coil-winding surface 47 rotating at a peripheral speed slightly greater than the axial speed of the product being delivered to the apparatus, the leading end of a product length travelling along path P enters the product-receiving passageway P. This stage is schematically depicted in FIG. 5 wherein the leading end X of a product length is shown just entering passageway P. It will be understood that rotation of coil-winding surface 47 causes corresponding rotation of end plate 58b due to the frictional contact therebetween as at 82. Upon entering passageway P, the leading end is immediately subjected to two guiding influences which direct it towards and into clamping groove 74. More particularly, the leading end is urged radially inwardly towards the coil-winding surface 47 by virtue of its coming into contact with the first guide surface 94 on pivotal arm 84. At the same time, the leading end is urged in a generally diagonal direction towards the annular surface 70 on end plate 58b by the second guide surface 96 on arm 84. These two guiding influences cause the leading end of the product length to be directed into the clamping groove 74 at a point somewhere between the latter's maximum and minimum widths, e.g., between the entrance to passageway P and the point 82 at which the clamping surface 72 and the coil-winding surface 47 are in contact. As the leading end proceeds into the clamping groove, it eventually is gripped between the clamping surface 72 and coil-winding surface 47, as schematically depicted in FIG. 6. This causes the end plate 58b to be wedged slightly upwardly, the result being that the leading end is gripped and wound around the coil-winding surface 47.

As soon as the leading end has been directed into clamping groove 74 and securely gripped between clamping surface 72 and coil-winding surface 47, a coil will begin forming whose width is increasing. This will in turn urge arm 84 away from end plate 58b, causing spring to be compressed. After several turns have been made around surface 47, cylinder 89 is actuated to rotate arm member 84 to its inoperative position 84a (see FIG. 3). At the same time as the leading end is directed into passageway P, cylinder 5 is actuated to begin traversing carriage 6 towards the right as viewed in FIG. 1. This causes the product to be level wound" along coil-winding surfaces 47 as indicated in FIG. 6. When one layer of product rings has been wound on coil-winding surface 47 and the opposite end plate 58a has been reached, operation of cylinder 5 is reversed to traverse carriage 6 in the opposite direction. Carriage 6 will be moved back and forth until an entire product length has been wound and a full coil C has been accumulated on the mandrel.

Where the product is being coiled at a high temperature as is the case with hot rolled products issuing from a rolling mill, it may be desirable-to provide means for cooling the coil being accumulated. To this end, in the embodiment herein disclosed, there is provided an intake fan 108 in housing 59. The fan may be driven by any convenient means such as by a belt 110 and motor 112.

Upon completion of a coil C, rotation of the mandrel is arrested and the coil is removed from the apparatus. Removal of the coil is accomplished by a reverse adjustment to rotary ac tuator 78 to release the clamping action being exerted on the product segment in clamping groove 74, and by thereafter operating a second rotary actuator 114 (see FIG. 2) to swing the vertical support 62 and the cantilevered arm member 60 and housing 59 carried thereon to the inoperative position shown in dotted line in FIG. 1. In so doing, the end of the coil C adjacent end plate 58b is exposed. Once this has been accomplished, the mandrel sections 32are radially collapsed and cylinder 51 is actuated to move carriage'SO and the end plate 58a carried thereon to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. The coil C may thus be stripped from the mandrel onto any suitable receiving apparatus (not shown).

In view of the foregoing, it will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention offers a number of advantages not heretofore provided by prior art arrangements. Of particular importance is the manner in which a leading end is caught and wound onto the rotating coil-winding surface 47. The leading end enters passageway P, the mouth of which is enlarged to both facilitate product entry and to accommodate a wide range of product sizes. Immediately, upon entering passageway P, the leading end contacts guide surfaces 94 and 96 one arm 84, the latter being a ruggedly designed component capable of extended use, even when handling hot products travelling at high speeds. The guide surfaces positively and consistently direct the leading end into the clamping groove 74, where the leading end is wound onto coil-winding surface 47 by virtue of the gripping action being executed on the product in clamping groove 74. This insures reliable trouble-free operation at the most critical point in the spooling operation, ie, at the very outset when the leading end of a product length is delivered to the apparatus.

It is my intention to cover all changes and modifications of the embodiment of the invention herein chosen for purposes of disclosure which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Iclaim:

I, For use with an apparatus for coiling axially moving product on a rotating mandrel, a front-end-catching device comprising: clamping means having a circular clamping surface surrounding one end of said mandrel, said clamping means being rotatable about an axis spaced laterally from the rotational axis of said mandrel, and guide means for diagonally directing the front end of an axially moving product length between said mandrel and said clamping surface, the relative positions of said axes being such that the product will be gripped between said mandrel and said clamping surface.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circular clamping surface extends laterally from an annular surface adjacent to the end of said mandrel, the said surfaces cooperating to define a groove of varying width having maximum and minimum lateral dimensions spaced 180 apart.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by means for urging the rotational axis of said clamping means away from the rotational axis of said mandrel, whereupon prior to the introduction of product between said mandrel and said clamping surface, the said clamping surface will be in contact with the surface of said mandrel at the location of said minimum lateral dimension.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide means is comprised of an arm member pivotally mounted for movement between an operative position adjacent said mandrel and said clamping means to an inoperative position remote therefrom.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide means, when operatively positioned, cooperates with the surface of said mandrel and the clamping and annular surfaces on said clamping means to define a curved tapered passageway having an open receiving end into which the front end of the axially moving product is delivered an an opposite delivery end adjacent to the location atwhich the product entering said passageway is gripped between the surface of said mandrel and the circular clamping surface on said clamping means.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by the receiving end of said curved passageway being located adjacent to the maximum lateral distance between the surface of said mandrel and the circular clamping surface of said clamping means.

7, The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said guide means is provided beginning at the open receiving end of said curved passageway and terminating at the delivery end of said passageway, with a first guide surface curving laterally towards the annular surface on said clamping means, and a second guide surface curving inwardly towards the surface of said mandrel.

, 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by said clamping means being carried on the distal end of a cantilevered arm member, and means at the other end of said arm member for pivotally urging the rotational axis of said clamping means away from the rotational axis of said mandrel.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further characterized by means for swinging said clamping means between an operative position adjacent to the end of said mandrel and an inoperative position remote therefrom when removing coiled product from said mandrel.

10. For use with an apparatus for coiling axially moving product on a rotating mandrel, a front end catching device comprising: clamping means adjacent to one end of said mandrel, said clamping means being rotatable about an axis spaced laterally from the rotational axis of said mandrel, said clamping means having an annular surface adjacent to the end of said mandrel and a circular clamping surface surrounding said mandrel, said circular clamping surface having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said mandrel, means for urging the rotational axis of said clamping means away from the rotational axis of said mandrel, whereupon the said annular surface, clamping surface and the surface of said mandrel will cooperate to define a groove of varying width having maximum and minimum lateral dimensions spaced apart, and guide means for directing the front end of an axially moving product length into said groove, said guide means cooperating with the surfaces forming said groove to define a curved passageway having at the maximum lateral dimension of said groove an open receiving end into which the front end of the product length is delivered and an opposite delivery end adjacent to the location at which the product entering said passageway is gripped between the surface of said mandrel and the circular clamping surface on said clamping means. 

1. For use with an apparatus for coiling axially moving product on a rotating mandrel, a front-end-catching device comprising: clamping means having a circular clamping surface surrounding one end of said mandrel, said clamping means being rotatable about an axis spaced laterally from the rotational axis of said mandrel, and guide means for diagonally directing the front end of an axially moving product length between said mandrel and said clamping surface, the relative positions of said axes being such that the product will be gripped between said mandrel and said clamping surface.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circular clamping surface extends laterally from an annular surface adjacent to the end of said mandrel, the said surfaces cooperating to define a groove of varying width having maximum and minimum lateral dimensions spaced 180* apart.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by means for urging the rotational axis of said clamping means away from the rotational axis of said mandrel, whereupon prior to the introduction of product between said mandrel and said clamping surface, the said clamping surface will be in contact with the surface of said mandrel at the location of said minimum lateral dimension.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide means is comprised of an arm member pivotally mounted for movement between an operative position adjacent said mandrel and said clamping means to an inoperative position remote therefrom.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said guide means, when operatively positioned, cooperates with the surface of said mandrel and the clamping and annular surfaces on said clamping means to define a curved tapered passageway having an open receiving end into which the front end of the axially moving product is delivered an an opposite delivery end adjacent to the location at which the product entering said passageway is gripped between the surface of said mandrel and the circular clamping surface on said clamping means.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by the receiving end of said curved passageway being located adjacent to the maximum lateral distance between the surface of said mandrel and the circular clamping surface of said clamping means.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said guide means is provided beginning at the open receiving end of said curved passageway and terminating at the delivery end of said passageway, with a first guide surface curving laterally towards the annular surface on said clamping means, and a second guide surface curving inwardly towards the surface of said mandrel.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by said clamping means being carried on the distal end of a cantilevered arm member, and means at the other end of said arm member for pivotally urging the rotational axis of said clamping means away from the rotational axis of said mandrel.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further characterized by means for swinging said clamping means between an operative position adjacent to the end of said mandrel and an inoperative position remote therefrom when removing coiled product from said mandrel.
 10. For use with an apparatus for coiling axially moving product on a rotating mandrel, a front end catching device comprising: clamping means adjacent to one end of said mandrel, said clamping means being rotatable about an axis spaced laterally from the rotational axis of said mandrel, said clamping means having an annular surface adjacent to the end of said mandrel and a circular clamping surface surrounding said mandrel, said circular clamping surface having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said mandrel, means for urging the rotational axis of said clamping means away from the rotational axis of said mandrel, whereupon the said annular surface, clamping surface and the surface of said mandrel will cooperate to define a groove of varying width having maximum and minimum lateral dimensions spaced 180* apart, and guide means for directing the front end of an axially moving product length into said groove, said guide means cooperating with the surfaces forming said groove to define a curved passageway having at the maximum lateral dimension of said groove an open receiving end into which the front end of the product length is delivered and an opposite delivery end adjacent to the location at which the product entering said passageway is gripped between the surface of said mandrel and the circular clamping surface on said clamping means. 